BSA Gold Star first impressions from Motorcycle Live

ONE of the big news stories from Motorcycle Live 2021 was the return of revived brand BSA returning to the scene after a prolonged hiatus with the Gold Star model.

Founded in 1919, Beeza was one of the biggest names in the golden era of motorcycle manufacturing in the middle of the twentieth century. After falling into administration in the late seventies and early eighties, BSA is now officially back, with the manufacturing might of Mahindra helping to thrust the brand back into motorcycle production with its first new model in decades.

BSA Gold Star (2022) Motorcycle Live Walkaround

The 2022 Gold Star 650 is a modern yet faithful recreation of one of the most iconic and important bikes in the firm’s history, and the model that is hoped to help thrust the brand back into the big time.

The heart of the bike is an authentic pre-unit single style 652cc engine, producing 45bhp and 40lb-ft of torque. The liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves, twin spark unit is fully Euro5 compliant and is styled in such a way that it is difficult to tell it apart from a genuine classic engine.

Some of the features of the bike could do with some finessing, the radiator for one looks slightly agricultural in its design, but other than that, there is really not much to dislike from an authenticity point of view.

The chassis features simple 41mm telescopic forks at the front and retro-looking twin shocks at the rear that feature a 5-step preload adjuster. The braking system comprises two-piston Brembo calipers and a 320mm disc at the front, and a 255mm disc and single-piston Brembo item at the year.

Wet weight is 213kg making it slightly heavier than its biggest competition (the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650), and to look at the Beeza does seem to be a stockier and more heavy-set machine. The paint finish of the bike is impeccable, with a few different paint styles and options available. Personally, the bike shown, with ghosted BSA logos in the 19l fuel tank and side panels, is the one to go for. That is of course if it becomes an official colours scheme!

For more information on the new Gold Star, head to: www.bsacompany.co.uk

To see the bike for yourself, head to Motorcycle Live - www.motorcyclelive.co.uk